Oak and Silverplate Partners’ Standish

This English golden oak and silver-plated partners’ standish, dating to approximately 1910, is a sophisticated example of Edwardian desk furniture designed for simultaneous use by two people.

Construction & Design

• Primary Material: The standish is crafted from solid English golden oak, showing a rich, prominent grain and a warm honey-colored patina.
• Partners’ Configuration: Designed for a partners’ desk, the piece is symmetrical, featuring blank silver-plated name cartouches on both the front and back, as well as dual pen trays carved into the oak base on either side of the central handle.
• Central Handle: A sturdy, silver-plated T-bar handle with a spherical grip is mounted to a decorative, floral-edged base plate in the center, allowing for easy transport.
• Base & Feet: The entire unit is elevated on four substantial, silver-plated bun feet.

Inkwells & Storage

• Lidded Inkwells: The set retains its original pair of thick cube glass inkwells, each featuring a silver-plated collar and a hinged lid with a decorative shell-motif thumb lift.
• Velvet-Lined Holders: The inkwells sit securely within silver-plated frames lined with dark velvet to protect the glass and provide a snug fit.
• Integrated Drawer: One side of the standish features a shallow built-in drawer with a silver-plated pull knob, intended for storing nibs, stamps, or small stationery items.

The maker’s mark on this golden oak and silver partners’ standish belongs to the firm John Grinsell & Sons of Birmingham.

The “Archer” Trademark

The shield-shaped badge featuring a figure with a bow and arrow is the official trademark for John Grinsell & Sons.

• Symbolism: While often described as an Archer, the figure is technically Cupid, though it is widely cataloged in antique circles simply as “The Archer” mark.
• History: The firm was founded in Birmingham and became well-known for producing high-quality silver-mounted glass and oak desk accessories starting around 1879. They operated out of the Victoria Works in Birmingham and maintained prestigious showrooms in London and Glasgow.

The Model Number “111”

The number “111” stamped below the archer symbol is the pattern or model number.

• In the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, large manufacturers like Grinsell & Sons produced extensive catalogs of desk furniture.
• This specific number would have identified the “Partners’ Standish” form in their sales inventory, allowing retailers to reorder specific silver-plated components or the entire oak unit.

Context & Rarity

This mark confirms the standish’s origin as a piece of high-end English electroplate from the late 19th or early 20th century. John Grinsell & Sons were specialists in combining silver-plate with heavy cut glass and English oak, making them one of the premier makers for this specific style of desk furniture during the Edwardian era (c. 1910).